Commander Gilbert is a native of El Segundo, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1984 and after completing Machinist’s Mate “A” School he attended Navy Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 1990 with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and was subsequently commissioned an Ensign in the U. S. Navy. Following commissioning, he reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida for flight training and earned his wings in December 1992.

After initial H-60F/H Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) Training in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron TEN at NAS North Island, California, Commander Gilbert reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron SIX in December 1993. During this tour, he served as Legal Officer, Avionics/Armament Division Officer, Line Division Officer and Quality Assurance Officer. He deployed in April 1995 aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) and again in September 1996 aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in the Arabian Gulf.

Moving to shore duty in January 1997, Commander Gilbert reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron TEN as a FRS instructor pilot. During this tour he served as Tactics Officer, Personnel Officer, Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Standardization Officer. Additionally, he was qualified as an Assistance NATOPS Instructor and Weapons and Tactics Instructor. For 1999 he was selected as the FRS Instructor Pilot of the Year, Commander Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing Pacific Pilot of the Year and Naval Helicopter Association Region One Pilot of the Year.

Following shore duty, he was assigned to Commander, Carrier Air Wing NINE in December 1999 where he served as Helicopter Operations Officer and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. During this tour Commander Gilbert deployed to the Arabian Gulf onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN74) in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. In November 2001 he transferred to the “Eightballers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron EIGHT for his Department Head tour at NAS North Island, California. During this tour he served as Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Tactics Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer. He deployed in November 2001 onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) to the Gulf of Oman in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In January of 2003 he deployed onboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) to the Western Pacific in support of Commander, U. S. SEVENTH Fleet operations. In March 2004, he reported to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies in March 2005.

Upon graduation from the Naval War College, Commander Gilbert was assigned to Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida through June 2008. During this tour he served as Air Operations Officer and Air Operations Branch Chief for the Current Operations Division. Additionally, he served as the Deputy Division Chief for the Air Operations Division.

Commander Gilbert reported to Tactical Air Control Squadron TWELVE in July 2008 where he served as Operations Officer, Detachment Officer in Charge and Acting Executive Officer. He deployed in January 2009 onboard USS ESSEX (LHD-2); his detachment supported Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit operations during exercises COBRA GOLD, BALIKATAN, KEY RESOLVE and TALISMAN SABER. In October 2010 he reported to Commander Tactical Air Control Group ONE as Chief Staff Officer.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense, or the United States Department of the Navy of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD web site.